Labor Day protesters in Legazpi demand P125 wage hike, end to contractualization

BICOLTODAY.COM FILE PHOTO

LEGAZPI CITY (01-May-2012/PNA) – Close to a thousand militant labor activist on Tuesday held a march rally commemorating Labor Day, demanding for a wage increase that would make them cope with the spiraling spikes in prices of basic commodities, a Bayan official said.
But the labor day rally in Albay was generally peaceful, said Sr. Supt. William Macavinta, Albay police director.

The rallyist, composed of members from the Kilusan Mayo Uno, Bayan, and Gabriela, converged at around 8 a.m. Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Park in Daraga town and marched their way to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Camp Gen. Siemon Ola, then proceeded to the Pinaglabanan Monument in this city.

Alfredo Mansos, KMU and spokesperson of the May 1 committee, said the militant workers demanded a P1.25 additional wage increase per day and put an end to contractualization of workers by private companies.

The rallyist also made a short protest rally at the PNP camp, asking authorities to solve human rights abuses committed against labor leaders.

In a phone interview, Macavinta downplayed the number of labor activists who joined the rally, saying that over 500 militant labor members joined the May 1 rally.

Macavinta said he had placed the entire police units in Albay under full alert in preparation for Tuesday’s labor day rally. (PNA)